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Evidence that microRNAs are associated with translating messenger RNAs in human cells

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology volume 13, pages 1102–1107 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding the 3′ untranslated regions of target mRNAs. We examined the subcellular distribution of three miRNAs in exponentially growing HeLa cells and found that the vast majority are associated with mRNAs in polysomes. Several lines of evidence indicate that most of these mRNAs, including a known miRNA-regulated target (KRAS mRNA), are actively being translated.

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Figure 1: miRNAs sediment with polysomes in HeLa cell cytoplasmic extracts.
Figure 2: miRNAs are associated with mRNAs in polysomes in HeLa cells.
Figure 3: miRNAs are associated with mRNAs engaged in active translation.
Figure 4: Parallel polysomal distribution of miRNAs and mRNAs after exposure to and recovery from hypertonic stress.
Figure 5: KRAS mRNA sediments with polysomes and is associated with translationally competent ribosomes.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the anonymous reviewers for helpful comments. This work was supported by grants from the US National Institutes of Health to T.W.N.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for RNA Molecular Biology and Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, W127 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, 44106-4973, Ohio, USA

    Patricia A Maroney, Yang Yu, Jesse Fisher & Timothy W Nilsen

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Correspondence to Timothy W Nilsen.

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Maroney, P., Yu, Y., Fisher, J. et al. Evidence that microRNAs are associated with translating messenger RNAs in human cells. Nat Struct Mol Biol 13, 1102–1107 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb1174

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